Coffee Love....

This week is National Coffee week, and Sunday saw me visiting the London Coffee festival in the London's east end. The festival is held in Brick Lane a short walk from Liverpool Street in the Old Truman Brewery building.
The morning was miserably damp and chilly, but this did not deter the huge crowds that came out to visit the brunch time slot of Sunday morning.
The London Coffee Festival is a mecca for all coffee enthusiasts and hosts everything imaginable to make, drink and accompany coffee is every form.

As well as every coffee attribute possible, there was also plenty of places to sit and enjoy the Java or Espresso Martini's.
With DJ's playing the decks and a band in the Hyde Park space the whole event had a very cool vibe about it.
The event also hosted the Coffee Master's competition where 20 baristas were pitted against each other across events to be crowned Coffee Master 2015. Disciplines of the event can be found here.
Some of my favourites from the event... Toms Coffee, every bag of coffee purchased will Toms will donate a week of clean water to someone who needs it.
Cold Brew - it seems that the cold brew phenomenon that hit New York last year is coming across the pond for this summer. Cold brews in abundance from multiple coffee merchants... looking forward to a summer of chilled coffee brew.
Milk & Sugar - Bourbon bar and Gin Parlour.
Cawston Press adult soft drinks... the Rhubarb and Apple is my favourite.I loved the stand and the juices were gorgeous.
Cakesmiths - gorgeous tray bakes perfect to accompany any cup of coffee.
CrossTown doughnuts - gorgeous glazed ring doughnuts - love the displays of these delicious rings of decadence...

With a host of coffee vendors to sip caffeine from my favourite on the day was Grumpy Mule. My espresso was the perfect hit required for the moment.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the London Coffee Festival and learnt lots about coffee & all its accompaniments.
I liked the venue and all its different rooms; however think that for the time slot that I had booked the organisers over subscribed as crowd control was an issue. (especially lots of double / single buggies - don't get me started on that rant!)

As its coffee week I will be sharing some more coffee favourites this week.... Here are 5 coffee favourites from London and 5 from New York.

London Loves - Burgers

This month I shared my New York burger loves and today I am sharing my London burger loves. The London Burger scene has exploded over the last couple of years and now London is a strong contender for the Burger capital of the world, offering some fabulous patty's from some of the best burger joints.
Here are 5 of my favourites across the city:

Patty & Bun - this fabulous little gem of a burger bar is hidden down a side street off Oxford Street and queuing is a legendary now as its burgers. There Ari Gold burger is one of their signature dishes and is mouth-wateringly delicious medium rare burger complete with signature burger sauce, cheese, onions .. A feast for the taste buds. Not for the neat eater as it is gloriously sloppy, can only be eaten with a bib!. The ambiance has a real old school feel, with wooden tables & chairs and lots of brown Kraft paper! The burgers are delicious, melt in the mouth perfect accompanied with rosemary salted fries.
Meat Liquor - queuing for entry into this burger joint is mandatory, nestled underneath a carbuncle of a car park, behind Debenhams in Oxford street, this cool edgy burger joint has managed to transfer the street vibe of a burger van into a edgy underground meat & liquor joint. Great food, fab ambience and perfect for a fun night out with friends.
Byron Burger - I've been a huge fan of Byron Burgers for many years, from its cool old school warehouse in Islington, to its theatre bars in Leicester square and Covent garden, I'm a fan. Fabulous burgers and Brooklyn beer its the perfect venue for a burger, beer & fun with friends. Their Bacon cheeseburger is my favourite and I have never been disappointed on any visit.
Bleecker Burgers - this cool little burger van is much sort after around the streets of London, found often alongside the Gherkin or on the streets of Kings cross, this burger joint serves amazing tasting burgers straight from the New York streets... if you see this little black van, its a must.
Brgr. Co is a burger joint in Soho which I have visited twice, both occasions for its very fun Burger afternoon tea. I have sampled its summer tea and its Christmas holiday version which were gorgeous, perfect little treat in the city.

As with all London loves posts, here is a map of my burger favourites in London.

 If this post has wetted your taste buds for exploring London's Burger bars Here are some other burger posts from my blog over the last couple of years.... enjoy x

London Loves ~ Memorial

Last week I shared my New York memorial sites that I take comfort in visiting when in the city. This week its time to share my London loves. With New York coming out of memorial weekend, this post follows a momentous June 6th  D-Day celebrations and remembrance for the 100,000's of heroes that fought for our freedom on that eventful day and changed the face of world war 2.
London is awash with so many memorial sites its hard to select just 5, however I have and here they are.

• Battle of Britain memorial - sited on the banks of the river Thames on Victoria Embankment, this stunning bronze frieze is sited between the RAF memorial and Westminster Bridge. Unveiled in 2005 this 3D frieze is a stunning work of art and fitting tribute to those gallant men & women that flew the skies and fought at the Battle of Britain for our freedom.

• Animals in war - sited on Park lane adjacent to Hyde Park, this beautiful memorial celebrates the sacrifice of millions of animals throughout the world wars. Featuring a horse, donkey, dog & pigeon. the Successful play Warhorse and the Disney movie Valiant have helped to educate people on how so many different animals assisted and continue to assist us in the battles that we fight then & now. Eight million horses lost their lives in world war 1 and 100,000 & 200,000 pigeons were used respectively in WW1 & WW2, flying in all weathers often exhausted and severely wounded. 

• The Cenotaph - This iconic memorial of the Empty Tomb on Whitehall was only ever erected to mark the remembrance of the 1st Armistice day in 1919. Built in wood and plaster the nations outpouring of remembrance was so profound that a permanent monument was erected for 1920 and remains the nations memorial site for remembrance Sunday.

• Westminster - Westminster abbey each November becomes a stunning memorial site for Armistice day & Remembrance Sunday. It is humbling, emotional and a stunning space when filled with the poppy crosses. Here is a post from a previous visit. Inside Westminster Abbey is the grave of the unknown warrior, unveiled on the 11/11/1920 its a reminder of all those that sacrificed their lives so that we could have a better one.

• Grosvenor Square - Sited in this little square of greenery, nestled between the hustle & bustle of Oxford street and Park Lane, adjacent to the American Embassy stands many memorials. One of the most tranquil and calming is the little peace garden built to honour those that dies in the twin towers of 9/11. As blogged previously I find comfort in the little garden often after a busy day at work. 

Here are some additional posts of memorial sites in London, remembering the heroes and giving thanks for the sacrifices that they made, featuring the women in war, and the tank regiments.
As with all London Loves posts I have plotted a map of locations of these memorials, I hope that you seek one out the next time you visit London, even if it is just to say Thankyou. x

5 London Loves - Coffee

Last week I shared my coffee loves from New York, this week its time to share from London. Coffee arrived in London in 1652 and became on overnight success. Coffee houses became the places to conduct business and were influential in changing the landscape of the City of London during this time.  In 1688 Edward Lloyds coffee house in Tower street was the place to go for marine insurance, this coffee shop eventually became Lloyds of London insurance brokers. Jonathan's coffee house in Exchange Alley, eventually became London Stock Exchange. Sotherby's & Christie's both have origins in coffee houses.
With nearly 2,000 coffee shops in London you are never far from a caffeine fix. A London Underground map was produced last year with a coffee stop at each station. Here are 5 of my favourite coffee fixes across the city.

Monmouth Coffee - opened its doors in Covent garden in 1978, roasting & grinding its own beans. This legendary coffee shop opened a 2nd location in Borough market, which has become its flagship, with queues snaking around the corner for a cup of its java. Monmouths distribution moved to a larger premises in Maltby street after outgrowing its Covent garden store. Monmouths signature style is to only serve one size coffee. They only use full fat milk, which compliments their coffee perfectly. I love this coffee shop, and is always a must on a visit to Borough Market. My bag always goes home a little heavier with a bag of Monmouth beans.

Kaffeine - located in Great Titchfield Street, just behind Oxford Street.This cool little coffee shop is influenced by the coffee shops of Australia & New Zealand. As well as serving great coffee in a very urban relaxing atmosphere this cool shop also offers coffee classes.... Loving the look of the Latte classes here.

Notes - this fab little coffee shop is so much more than a coffee shop, it hosts jazz evenings and offers a great selection of wines. Later this year Notes will launch its own signature beer. I love this little caffeine haven, and is a must visit whenever I am in the Covent Garden location. Styled minimally with old school tables and chairs it offers a relaxing environment perfect for sipping a latte away
from the hustle and bustle of London life.

Tap - Tap have 3 locations in London and my favourite is in Soho on 193 Wardour street. With a bicycle hanging above the entrance its hard to miss when walking along the street. This coffee shop is deceptively simple. With a rustic coffee its offers great coffee and gorgeous homemade cakes. The shop is narrow and long, with great windows and skylights offering up fantastic light on the dullest of London days. Another great place to seek out a stones throw from Oxford street.

Charlie's cafe - a quaint cafe tucked down a little alley nestled in the heart of Portabello road Notting hill. This little cafe really does offer great coffee, and a great breakfast/brunch menu, sourcing artisan foods and British produce. It really is a little haven in one of London's busiest streets.

As with all London loves posts, here is a map of my coffee favourites in London.
If this post has wetted your taste buds for exploring London's caffeine fixes, then check out this cool app - London coffee guide. With a coffee chain on most corners in London, this app will help you locate your nearest independent coffee shop,  and explore parts of London that started over 300 years ago and is still as popular now as when the first coffee shop opened in the city all those years ago.

Afternoon Tea ~ London Style

This weeks London loves follow my New York loves last week. Afternoon Tea is synonymous with London and its hotels. Its one of my favourite ways to escape from the hustle and bustle of London life and the stresses of work. There is nothing as lovely than sitting down for tea, cakes & sandwiches in a relaxing environment, chatting with friends or chilling with a good book.

I have since I worked in London sipped Afternoon tea in many sumptuous locations. Here are 5 of my favourites.

Claridges
Claridges Afternoon tea is utterly divine, from the moment the doorman sweeps you into the grand foyer you are transported into a world where your every whim is catered for. The tea served on Claridges iconic teal stripe china is gorgeous. Here is a post from my visit, when I was taken for a birthday treat and had a fabulous time.
One Aldwych
This very modern & funky hotel was a new venue for me last year and a pleasant surprise. I visited for their Charlie & Chocolate factory inspired tea. The service, ambience and tea were delightful. The tea is clever, inspirational and so much fun, thoroughly recommend for anyone who is either a Roald Dahl fan or a chocolate fan.
The Berkeley
This is an old established hotel in Kensington which serves the perfect tea for any fashionista The Berkeley launched its Pret-a-Portea  a few years ago and its a huge hit with the ladies. Sited in the Caramel rooms in the Berkeley and served on bright funky china. This seasons tea features miu miu, Victoria Beckham & Christian Louboutin. I have visited this hotel twice for tea and loved both times.

Peggy Porschen Parlour
This parlour in a Belgravia side street is a treat and perfect for a spot of tea & cake. Peggy's doesn't serve the full afternoon tea, but it does serve fabulous tea & cake, perfect for a detour when shopping in the city. Here is a post from a previous visit.
The Savoy
One of my favourites, I have been many times and never been disappointed. One of the most iconic and established hotels in London, as you sweep through the revolving doors you are transported into a time and world filled with glamour, decadence and luxury. Had a fabulous time and tea here in November celebrating a 70th birthday.
As with previous posts I have plotted a little map of where these are in London... I hope that you sip, savour and enjoy. x

My tea list is always growing, on my wish list for this year are The Goring, The Connaught Hotel, The Shard, Balthazar and The Wolseley..............What are your favourites or recommendations.

5 London Loves - London Heights

This year I have been sharing my New York Loves over bi-weekly posts, a number of you have asked for the London equivalent. Last week I shared my favourite ways to view New York from above so this week I am sharing my London equivalents.

 The London skyline has changed dramatically over the last 20 years from the build of Canary Wharf, to the London eye and the newest height The Shard, London manages to mix the old with the new effortlessly.

London Eye - opened in 2000 to celebrate the turn of the millennium, this London landmark has become one of the most visited and recognised attractions of the London skyline. Reaching a height of 135m the Eye offers 360' views of a city in comfortable style and  at a leisurely pace. I circled London on the Eye several times and have always enjoyed the journey and the changing landscape of the London skyline.

Duck & Waffle - sited 40 floors on the top of Heron Tower in the heart of the City of London, this cool 24 hour eatery provides some spectacular views over the East of the city and old London, including the adjacent buildings of The Gherkin, Tower 42 ( which reminds me so much of the original World Trade Centre Towers in New York) and the new 'Walkie Talkie' building being built.

Thames Cable Car - opening in 2012, this cool air tramway links the Greenwich peninsula and the Royal Docks. Reaching heights of 90m, this London height offers very cool views over the river and the East of London which has seen a huge re-generation in the last couple of decades. This fab little service is all accessible via the London Oyster card and is a great family outing at really affordable prices.

The Monument - This is the original London height, built in 1671 & 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and to celebrate the rebuilding of the city.  Designed by Christopher Wren it is built a stones throw from where the Great Fire started in a bakery in Pudding Lane, 160ft to be precise, the exact height of the monument. The fire started on Sunday 2nd September 1666 and raged for 3 days until finally being extinguished on Wednesday 5th September, desolating much of the city. The viewing platform is accessible by a 311 step spiral staircase which offers resting posts and viewing slots on the ascent. Another fun family climb, all for the bargain price of £3 per person.

The Shard - opening in 2013 this is the newest London height, reaching a height of 305m the panoramic views of the London landscapes and suburbs in the distance are beautiful.  This  height is my New York "Top of the Rock" equivalent.... from the supersonic lift ascent to the feel of the viewing platforms it is the perfect way to see the sunrise and set over the city.

I hope that you have enjoyed my whistle-stop tour of London heights... pop back in a couple of weeks for another London loves.

please note all views are my own and I have received no payments / offers  for these.